Beginner Tai Chi Chuan (359-031-200)

WLD ART 10 - STU 1

Instructor: Jason Tsou
Spring 2011
Tel: 213-923-5003, E-mail: jasontsou168@yahoo.com

Course Description
The course is designed to help students gain the maximum benefits from Tai Chi Chuan by
focusing on the following areas for potential development: (1) increasing physical strength, (2) achieving
greater efficiency in kinetic movement, (3) improving awareness of body, space/environment
relationships, (4) harmonizing internal and external energy, and (5) learning how to consciously apply the
basic principles of Tai Chi in an exercise format and a martial arts format.

The course may include video recording of students, attendance at live performances and guest
artist workshops with the ultimate intent of improving the student’s focus and awareness upon their own
body movements and mechanics.

Students will also be expected to use meditation to visualize their own Tai Chi Chuan movement
through their conscious mind with the goal of increasing their artistic creativity and developing their
ability to focus their intent.

The result of this process will be to better ground the students’ physical practices and anchor Tai
Chi Chuan principles into the student’s daily life.

Course Requirements
Attendance 30%: This is a participation class. Students are required and expected to fully participate in
all movement exercises, class showings, video viewing and discussions. Consistent attendance is of the
utmost importance. Each absence counts as 4% deduction of your final grade. If you are ill or
injured, please call, or e-mail me and then bring a doctors’ note. Each time you sit out during class or are
late (arriving after roll is taken) will be considered a 1/3 absence. However, it is possible to make up
missed classes (see notes below).

Make up class can be arranged through Prof. Tsou and his teaching assistant, Arthur Schonfeld (cell:
818-438-1887 email: aeschonfeld@aol.com). Mr. Schonfeld can meet with student on Tuesday or
Thursday p.m. from 4-6 or at his own Tai Chi class: Holy Spirit Retreat Center. It is located at 4316 Lanai
Road in Encino. The class is from 7-9 on Wednesday and the cost is $5.00 for each class.

Class Performance and Assignment 40%: I will frequently check on your class performance, which
indicates the amount of effort you have put in for your assignment. Participation will include the degree to
which you involve yourself in class discussions, the extent to which you apply Tai Chi principles in your
movements and the extent to which you demonstrate familiarity with the form and to which you
demonstrate knowledge of the meaning of the movements.

There are three types of assignment:

Reading Assignment. In most topics, you will have assignment to work on from textbook, reference
material and handouts.
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Movements, Exercises and Tai Chi Form Assignment. You will need a minimum of ONE to ONE
HALF HOURS A WEEK to refine this assignment outside of the classroom.

Essay Assignment. An essay based on textbook is mandatory for this class. Student can choose from
given topics (to be announced) and shall turn in before the deadline.

Testing 30%: There will be no written final exam at the end of the course. Our goal is to have students
demonstrate their understanding of Tai Chi Chuan through the performance of a part of the form. There
will be two and possibly three class sessions devoted to this activity. The first will come at during the
mid-term period and each student will be given an assessment and direction in order to help them achieve
a greater degree of improvement. At the end of the term, one and possibly two class periods will be
devoted to allowing all students to again perform a portion of the form individually and they shall receive
a grade based upon what they demonstrate in this performance.

This is a class for beginners and no one will be expected to master the entire body of material,
However, minimum requirements will be a demonstration of a part of the form, (memory) an
understanding of the principles of Tai Chi Chuan (application of these principles to the movements as
opposed to martial art applications) control of movements (this includes various aspects of body
awareness, breathing, dealing with gravity and muscle control). The last aspect that will be judged is the
ability to project the spirit, taste, flavor of the form, (this includes keeping the movements Slow, Long,
Even and Deep-S L E D). Each component will be rated at 25%).

Extra Credit

Students may gain extra credits from (1) Choose non-mandatory quiz based on the handouts and the
suggested reference. (2) Participate or attendance at a formal Tai Chi Chuan competitions or
demonstration such as Pau Hana (up to 5 points depending on the event and degree of participation).

Text/Materials
Required Text

Jason Tsou and Arthur Schonfeld; Yang Taiji, The Untold Story. Encino, CA.
Chi Kung International
Jason Tsou and Arthur Schonfeld. Tantui Handouts. Encino, CA. Chi Kung International

Reference Materials

DVD
Tsou, J. & Schonfeld, A. (2007). Tai Chi Chi Kung (Harmony in Transition). Encino, CA.
Chi Kung International.
Tsou, J. & Schonfeld, A. (2007). Tai Chi Push Hands (The Random Circle). Encino, CA.
Chi Kung International.

Periodicals
Tai Chi Magazine
Inside Kung Fu Magazine

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Clothing
Regular class: Exercise pants/shorts with T-shirt for studio workout (suggest no tight jeans or binding
material of any kind); bare foot or shoes dedicated for studio activities (no street shoes allowed in studio
class). You may also purchase Tai Chi T-shirt from teaching assistant, Arthur Schonfeld for a student
discount price.

Pau Hana: All performers shall wear Tai Chi T-shirt with black workout pants; bare foot or shoes
dedicated for studio.

Evaluation and Grading

Course grade will be based as follows:
30% on attendance and in-class participation
40% on your class performance
30% on your solo work

A+ = excellent work demonstrates 95-100%*

A = very good work demonstrates 90-94%
A- = good work demonstrates 85-89%
B+ = work demonstrates some understanding but needs improvement 80-84%
B = work demonstrates some understanding but lack of attendance is a factor 75-79%
B- = work demonstrates poor understanding but good attendance 70-74%
C = needs further work, poor attendance 65-69%
D = poor work, poor attendance 60-64%
F = Fail, no development evident

* The percentages are not based upon an absolute scale. What is contemplated is one that is adjusted to
measure the skill level of beginners.

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Schedule
Spring Quarter 2011

Week One
General introduction of Taiji Class; warm up exercise; breathing exercises; introduction of eight stances;
introduction of Tantui (Spring Leg)
Week Two
Continue eight stances; continue breathing exercises; continue Tantui; reading assignment: read and be
prepared to discuss pages 31-50 of text
Week Three
Continue Tantui; reading assignment: read Tantui handouts
Week Four
Continue Tantui; reading assignment: read Tantui handouts
Week Five:
Continue Tantui; Tai Chi Ball & Bowl Qigong; reading assignment read and be prepared to discuss pages
115-152 of text; midterm test; essay assignment
Week Six:
Tai Chi basic principles (Wuji, static and dynamic Tai Chi, Yin & Yang balance); introduction of Tai Chi
Short form (24 movement Yang style Tai Chi Chuan); reading assignment: read and be prepared to
discuss pages 1-30 of text; read and be prepared to discuss pages 51-68 of text
Week Seven:
Continue Tai Chi 24 form; reading assignment: read and be prepared to discuss pages 68-85 of text
Week Eight:
Continue Tai Chi 24 form; reading assignment: read and be prepared to discuss pages 86-105 of text;
essay turn-in; Preparation of Pau Hana
Week Nine:
Continue Tai Chi 24 form; reading assignment: read and be prepared to discuss pages 105-114 and 153-
186 of text; Pau Hana
Week Ten:
Campus off (Memorial Day May 30); final Exam

Please note Prof. Tsou’s office hours is from 8:00-8:30 a.m. & 10:00 – 10:40 am at room 185
Mondays & Wednesdays

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Students with Disabilities
If you wish to request an accommodation due to a suspected or documented disability, please inform your
instructor and contact the Office for Students with Disabilities as soon as possible at A255 Murphy Hall,
310.825.1501, 310.206-6083 (telephone device for the deaf). Website: www.osd.ucla.edu

Health/Safety -- General info on prevention and care of injuries.

1. Health Screening. Dance can be a very physically demanding activity. Therefore, it is imperative if you
have an injury or other medical condition which could be worsened by exercise, that you:
a. see a doctor at the Student Health Center or a private medical facility of your choice, and
b. provide your instructor with a note from this physician regarding any recommended exercise
limitations.
2. Health Insurance. You are encouraged to find out about your medical coverage at the beginning of the
quarter. Then, if an injury occurs, you will know where to go, what will be covered, and any other
procedures necessary to facilitate appropriate treatment.
3. First Aid Supplies. First aid supplies are not available through the WAC department and you will have to
go to Student Health Services or another medical center of you choice if such supplies are needed.
Therefore, you are encouraged to regularly carry in your dance/exercise bag any supplies which you might
need or regularly use such as: band-aids, antibiotic ointment, blister care supplies, coach tape, an elastic
bandage, disposable ice bags, and appropriate medications.
4. Injury Procedures. One very important measure for preventing injuries is an adequate warm-up. Please
avoid being late for class and missing this important element of class. If you are late, check with your
instructor regarding appropriate procedures for warming up.
If an injury should occur during class, please let your instructor know immediately.
RICE: Rest – Ice – Compression – Elevation – these are key principles to know regarding immediate
response to an injury. However, if it is serious and you are not able to move, stay calm and still until the
appropriate medical personnel arrives to attend to your injury.